Alleppey (Kerala Backwaters)

Azlleppey (Alappuzha), often called the Venice of the East, is the heart of Kerala's backwater network - a maze of rivers, canals, lakes and lagoons lined with coconut palms and paddy fields. Traditional kettuvallam houseboats, once used to transport rice, are now converted into cruise vessels offering overnight stays on the water with home-cooked Kerala meals served onboard. The region is also known for its Nehru Trophy snake boat races, backwater villages and Ayurvedic wellness centres, making it a signature stop on any South India itinerary alongside the nearby hill station of Munnar and port city of Kochi.